From Wine Shop to Wine Producer in Marche: Mirizzi di Montecappone of Jesi

The story of Montecappone and Mirizzi branches out from the family’s historical enoteca (wine shop) in Rome. Enoteca Bomprezzi, which started in 1957 by Alessandro Mirizzi and Sara Blandamura, was the destination for an ample choice of wines and liquors in the area of Tuscolana in Rome. Forty years later, in 1997, the Bomprezzi – Mirizzi family decided to produce their own wine by taking over Montecappone, a winery founded in the 1960s in Jesi, Marche.

The acquisition included the strenuous work of the renewal of almost all the vineyards and expansion of the cellar. With over 40 hectares of vineyards on the hills of Jesi and 15 hectares of olive groves, they chose to plant Verdicchio, Passerina and Sauvignon Blanc for the whites; Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Cannonao and Lacrima Nera for the reds.

All the wines are produced with their carefully-selected estate-grown grapes which are maintained with a low production per hectare. The family’s winery is supported by oenologist Lorenzo Landi, who also collaborates with the best wineries in Italy. With dedication to quality, Montecappone wines are often awarded or mentioned wine guides as excellent representatives of Castelli di Jesi in the Marche region.

Mirizzi

The Mirizzi Company was founded in 2015 from the idea of Gianluca Mirizzi after a 20-year apprenticeship at the helm of Montecappone. It has six hectares of vineyards, all on top of a hill overlooking the castle of Monte Roberto and an olive grove in the municipality of Cupramontana. The land is located on the right bank of Esino River at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level with a slope angle of 35% which is considered a heroic viticulture. The soil, yellowish in coloring with a sandy consistency, has a composition of sandstone marly formations derived from the Miocene geological epoch, from the filling of the marine basin present there in geological eras by Apennine sediments.

Mirizzi represents the expressive potential of Verdicchio and Grenache from heroic viticulture. The vineyards are planted on a slope, almost mountain-like, where there are many hours of effort in agronomic management in the face of a quantitative yield of the grapes at an acceptable minimum.

Montecappone Federico II Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2022

Obtained from Verdicchio grapes cultivated in vineyards with medium calcareous clay. Fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled temperature and in the absence of oxygen, then aged on the lees for 4-5 months before being bottled. In the glass, it presents a straw yellow color with specks of green while in the nose, it reveals its youthful and interesting character full of fresh aromas. Apple and pear pervade the nose with white flowers, notes of fresh aromatic herbs, hay and dry stone, while in the mouth, it gives a crisp acidity, good balance and a light bitterness that finishes the sip.

Montecappone Utopia Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva DOCG 2019

Obtained from Verdicchio grapes cultivated in sandy soil. After fermentation, the wine remains on noble lees for 9 months, with application of the “reduction” technique from the detachment of the bunch until bottling. Matured in concrete tanks for 12 months and refined in the bottle for 18/24 months. Bright straw yellow in color with a wide scope of aromas reminiscent of citrus zest, aromatic white flowers notably orange blossoms, broom, apple, fresh aromatic herbs and a hint of saltiness. On the palate, it boasts a pleasant fruitiness, round acidity that goes all the way to the finish, sapidity, good structure and balance.

Montecappone Violante Marche Rosso IGT 2022

Obtained from Lacrima grapes, then maceration with the skins for 6-8 days at a controlled temperature at the end of the fermentation to favor the extraction of the softest and most fragrant parts. In the glass, it displays a ruby red color with specks of violet with fruit-forward aromas of red and dark berries with dominance of sour cherries and blackberries, floral tones of violets and roses, and dusting of pepper. In the mouth, it sips with juiciness of the dark berries with dried spices, integrated tannins and long finish. Lovely young red wine with a capacity to express itself fully.

Mirizzi Millesimè Pas Dosè Metodo Classico 2016

Produced from organically grown Verdicchio grapes cultivated in sandstone marl with sandy consistency in the only parcel of the heroic vineyard of Monte Roberto at a slope angle of 35% at 300 meters above sea level with northern exposure. Traditional whote vinification at a controlled temperature. Once the alcoholic fermentation is complete, 10 months of refinement on its noble lees with batonnage, the second fermentation of 60 months takes place in the bottle. Disgorgement took place in 2022. In the glass, it shows a brilliant deep straw yellow color with a persistent and fine perlage. The nose expresses complexity and intensity of aromas of concentrated yellow stone fruit pulp, exotic fruits, powerful minerals, iodine, crushed stone, broom, grapefruit peel, blush and herbaceous notes. While the aromas extend to the mouth, subtle creaminess, the backbone of acidity accompanies the sip until its finish. A fine example of sparkling wine obtained from Verdicchio that accompany fish and white meat dishes.

Mirizzi Ergo Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2021

Obtained from Verdicchio grapes cultivated in Monte Roberto, one of the most suitable areas for the production of wine within the classic of Castelli di Jesi. Soil composition of marl with yellow sandstone and sandy consistency. Certified by Cervim for its heroic viticulture, at a slope angle of 35% at 300 meters above sea level. Late harvest of the grapes, fermentation and aging on indigenous yeasts, part of which was done in amphorae for a year and part in tonneaux. Alcohol volume at 15%. In the glass, it presents a straw yellow color with an intense and complex nose rich in tropical fruits, citrus peel, hint of sweetness, nuts, dried herbaceous notes. Its freshness opens up the palate, full-bodied with widely-spread yellow pulp, sapid, note of toasted wood, blush in the end and persistent. Pairs well with seafood and white meat cooked with more complex sauces.

Mirizzi Cogito R. Grenache Marche Rosso IGT 2022

Obtained from Grenache grapes cultivated in Monte Roberto with soil composition of marl yellow sandstone with limestone and traces of clay. Certified by Cervim for its heroic viticulture, at a slope angle of 35% at 300 meters above sea level. The grapes were harvested at their full phenolic ripeness, fermented with the skins for 3 weeks at a controlled temperature, aged in cement vessels. Bright ruby red in the glass with a defined nose of dark forest berries, dried red rose petals, dried spices, and notes of eucalyptus. On the palate, the freshness is captivating, silky tannins, round, juicy red and dark berries and long persistence.

Mirizzi T.T. Totus Tuus Marche Rosso IGT 2020

Produced from organically-grown Grenache grapes cultivated in small plot with soil composition of marl with yellow sandstone of sandy consistency, exposed to the west. Certified by Cervim for its heroic viticulture at Monte Roberto at 300 meters above sea level at a slope angle of 35%. The grapes were harvested at their full phenolic ripeness, with refined for 3 years, in wooden eggs of 850 liters then in the bottle. In the glass, it presents a dark ruby red color with a lively nose of dark forest berries, a slight hint of sweet red berries, dried sweet spices, pepper, and dried rose petals while in the mouth it lends a very nice softness and fullness of the fruit, with a long thin line of acidity accompanying the long finish. A good drink now and can surprise more with its possibility for good longevity.